I was reading an article I found recently called “Temptations Facing the Christian Academic” by Elmer Thiessen in a journal I believe entitled Direction and thought there were several thoughts that are relevant to any of us who are in a position where we are influencing, teaching, or educating others consistently.Here’s a few temptations for teachers (and I believe leaders as well) that you might want to consider:1. IndoctrinationThiessen writes that people who are teachers are “…all in danger of abusing our power. Teaching can degenerate into indoctrination. Indoctrination, understood pejoratively, involves the abuse of a teacher’s power.” (60) One form of abuse of power among leaders is indoctrination, where the teacher uses their authority and power to bend those under their influence to their agenda or will. An extreme form of this would be the cult leader, but many of us have encountered people that revile in their doctrine to the point where their teaching is centered around their doctrinal or political agenda as opposed to the greater good for the learners.I believe history and the local news tells us that many people are very impressionable and are swayed by a variety of things. Thiessen comments that we “tend to exaggerate human freedom.” (60) Teachers can use their authority and position to do great good or great damage, regardless of whether they had good intentions or not.2. Facilitating Dependence Rather Than MaturityThiessen writes, “The aim of every teacher should be to make himself or herself redundant, to have students become their own teachers.” (61) There is a temptation of people with that kind of power to keep themselves central to the learning and development process. This is common temptation for those in the ministry because of how good it feels to be needed and to be making a difference. The bottom line is that teachers/leaders can keep themselves central to the learning process and short-circuit the actual desired outcome. Leaders and teachers need to empower others and make themselves expendable as it relates to the learning process. They need to work themselves out of a job, not teach and lead to ensure their job security. This is servant leadership.3. Worldliness (Quest for Fame and Self-Importance)Thiessen frames this temptation in light of the temptation of academic types to crave recognition by peers and even measures of fame. There’s a general craving in our society to be famous, but I see this temptation quite evident among ministry leaders and pastors as well. The explosion of social media has increased this temptation in my mind, but the temptation leaders and teachers face is to use their authority and platform and influence to gain more personal significance. Whether it’s to hit the speaking tours, book tours, or whatever other venues there are today, it’s a temptation to use what we have to try to gain more and that is not always a good thing.There are others such as arrogance and isolationism, but I’m curious what you think about these temptations. Do you think some of these are more prominent than others for today’s leader?Do you see yourself succumbing to any of them in your own position of influence?Are there other temptations that are significant not mentioned here that you would add?
